On March 13, 2001, this footnote in Celtics history happened:
Third-year player Paul Pierce and the Celtics went to Staples Center to play a favored Lakers team.
The Celtics kept up with L.A. but lost, 112-107.
Still, Pierce was the story, scoring 42 points on 13 of 19 shooting, a notable performance in a breakout season.
After the game, Shaq beckoned to Boston Herald reporter Steve Bulpitt, and said, “Take this down. My name is Shaquille O’Neal, and Paul Pierce is the motherfucking truth.”
From there, with one of the league’s best players endorsing him, Pierce became The Truth and a perennial All-Star.
Yesterday, this footnote in Celtics history happened:
Third-year player Jayson Tatum and the Celtics went to Staples Center to play a favored Lakers team. (!)
The Celtics kept up with L.A. but lost, 114-112. (!!)
Still, Tatum was the story, scoring 41 points on 12 of 20 shooting, a notable performance in a breakout season. (!!!)
After the game, LeBron James -- who doesn’t need a print reporter to get his word out in 2020 -- posted a fawning message under a picture of him and Tatum on Instagram, saying, “That boi to the left of me is an ABSOLUTE PROBLEM!! Keep going #YoungKing” (!!!!)
Are you following yet? Did you know that Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy? What happens from here, only Gods will know.
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